Government sets out next steps for local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire

Following an initial review of the local government reorganisation decisions it made earlier this year, the Government has announced today that, before Christmas, it is “minded to” confirm a single unitary authority for Gloucestershire. 

In an update shared with council leaders and chief executives today – followed by a statement to Parliament later on – Jim McMahon, the minister for local government, devolution and growth, said that all of the decisions made in July have been withdrawn – but that he was working to confirm the decision for the single unitary authority for Gloucestershire. 

He said that in the event the decision is confirmed, elections to the new unitary authority would take place in May 2028, ahead of vesting in April 2029.  

Elections to Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, and Tewkesbury Borough Council will go ahead on existing boundaries in May 2027.  

The minister also committed to taking further representation on the single unitary option before the final decision is made.  

There was no further update on the status of wider devolution for Gloucestershire – which was also omitted from announcements made during the budget on Wednesday 28 October. 

In a joint statement, the leaders of Gloucestershire’s councils, said: “We welcome the clarity that this latest update brings. 

“Over the last eight weeks, while the Government has undertaken its initial review, we have been mindful of the different potential outcomes. As such, some essential programme activity has continued, while activities directly linked to implementation of a future local government structure have been paused.  

“We are grateful to officers working across our councils for their diligent work on this, which has put our area in good stead to move forward. 

“While this announcement provides some additional clarity on timing, we will now need to consider the implications of the extended timetable on the programme of work to deliver a new council for Gloucestershire, and the implications on the seven existing councils. 

“This delay has consequences. Our councils are already facing extremely difficult financial choices. The government must meet the costs of LGR that we are incurring, including costs caused by an extended timeline. 

“We have also been told over the last couple of years that devolution was the prize for going through LGR, yet Gloucestershire was not included in the Government’s Budget announcements yesterday. We cannot allow Gloucestershire to become the forgotten county when it comes to devolution and the benefits it will bring for our residents and businesses, and we will continue to lobby for a devolution deal for our county.”